AleSmith Wee Heavy - AleSmith Brewing Company

brewerburgundy

California

4/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

25.4oz bottle, Boulevard tulip, no freshness date, but I have had this since January 2011.

A mite lighter than I would have expected, but beautiful transparent tawny auburn hues are what I behold when I raise the glass. There is a spare ring of furry tan foam.

Red cherry alcohol, port, brown malt, slight toast, herbal, with a pleasant booze edge.

Sweet caramel, cherry and dark fruit. Beautiful depth of sweet caramelized flavors. A little smokey drying in the finish, maybe cherry wood. Sticky tawny port with the same delicious, not overly powerful alcohol burn. Alcohol bitterness.

Appropriately soft and full mouthfeel.

Seems like a prime example of the big, caramel-y, robustly alcoholic Scotch ale that American craft breweries like to make. The smoke is fleeting. I'd like to have a true peaty character.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2012 01:19:16 | More by brewerburgundy

CuriousMonk

Virginia

3.9/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from 750ml bottle into tulip glass. Pours a deep mahogany color along with a thick medium head that lasts throughout. Deep caramelly malty flavor with just a hint of smoke in the finish. The aroma is sweet and voluptuous, reflecting the flavor with malt familiar with the Scottish style, hop and yeast characteristics. Mouthfeel Lush, full, rounded, almost chewy mouthfeel. A good wee heavy style that I rarely drink.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2012 22:53:24 | More by CuriousMonk

tjkinate

Texas

4.43/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

One tasting beverage.

A: One and half fingered creamy khaki colored head that exhibited great retention forms atop this transparent dark brown bodied brew. When the head finally settles a thin foam remains atop the brew throughout the tasting and leaves behind a good amount of lacing.

S: Loads of sweet malts, caramel and dark fruits. A little more subtle than expected scotch profile. Hid the high ABV very well.

T: Follows the scent very closely. As the beer warms however the scotch flavors intensify along with a great nutty undertone.

M: Medium bodied, perfect amount of carbonation that allowed the beer to remain creamy yet crisp. Very easy to drink.

O: Was very impressed with this Wee Heavy. Semi new to the style, but I liked it more than Founders' offerings. Can't wait to get a BA version.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2012 23:55:00 | More by tjkinate

CharlieMurphy

New York

3.73/5  rDev -11%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Deep dark brown with some light beams in the shallow end. Off white cream head stays low on the border.

S: Like brandy and scotch, whew! Don't know what to think about this as those are the only flavors i get on the nose.

T: Less brandy and even less scotch, but some port, peat, pinot noir, caramel malts, and finally some dark fruits. ->That's drawing a lot out of it, the taste is overall mild.

M: Low carbonation and could actually use a little more of it.

O: Meh, probably won't buy again, but it is really a decent beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2012 03:31:38 | More by CharlieMurphy

giblet

Ohio

4.47/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

nice. poured well into my glass with nice carbonation, lazy and steady. small head at about 1/8". nice lace down the glass. rich roasted malt smell. nice silky taste that matches the aroma. this is a nice glass of relaxing beer. $12.99 for 1 pint 9.4oz is just fine with me since it is very good and a one bottle enjoyment!

suckem up and movem out!

giblet

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2012 18:24:24 | More by giblet

BHopp12

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

750 ML Bottle

A: Black with an almost slight reddish tint with a small off white head with little carbonation

S: Some roasted notes, bits of vanilla, getting the hints of malt and bit of alchohol

T: Slight smoke flavor with hints of caramel and malt flavors with a nice finish. Alcohol is hidden pretty well

M: Low carbonation with a borderline think feel

O: As expected I was not dissapointed at all in this beer! I was expecting a lot from an AleSmith and I was impressed! Very good beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2012 16:50:39 | More by BHopp12

claspada

New Jersey

4.22/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle purchased over a year ago. Let's see how it's aged...

Pours a dark, chestnut brown with a small head reminiscent of frothed milk. I hoped to agitate some head by swirling but got only a small soapy cap which quickly dissipated.

Aromas begin with a nice sweet caramel maltiness with a decent amount of dark fruits, freshly picked figs and raisins. Maybe that has developed with age. Peat it light and comes across more as earthiness than smoke; good I hate smoked beers. Some light maple syrup and toffee emerge as it warms.

The tastes begin with a clean sweet caramel maltiness which blends effortlessly with the dark fruit flavors. Again, a bit of earthiness enters into the equation. A bit like a nice tawny port fruitiness; I am really digging the fruitiness here. The peat flavors and minimal hops, though present, are restrained and unobtrusive, allowing for the dark, wine-like fruits and sweetness to dominate (though, at no point is this beer overly sweet). As it warms I get some additional flavors of cocoa and toasted vanilla beans. Not a drop of alcohol, anywhere which is stupid for a 10% beer.

The mouthfeel is medium bodied with medium to low carbonation; wish there was a tad bit more but the flavors hold strong enough that I don't really care. Finish is middle of the row, not too sweet or dry or anything really just balanced and so very smooth. Not a drop of alcohol

Overall, this beer is a real treat and by far the best overall Scotch Ale or Wee Heavy I have ever sampled. Prefect balance of dark caramel, dark fruit and light earth/peat flavors. Drinkability is stupidly off the charts as I could easily down this 750ml in short time if necessary, although I will choose to enjoy it here.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2012 00:36:06 | More by claspada

PeterIngemi

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Spilt this with my boy AJ

A- dark brown almost black

S - vanilla, caramel, graham crackers, touch of sweetness

T- delicious, toasty vanilla, toffe, figs & raisins almost reminiscent of fig newton filling.... In a very, very good way. Alcohol is very well hidden.

M- thick and a wee bit heavy

O- one of my favorite beers! Toasty and delicious, almost tastes like a barrel aged beer even though it's not!!! I love it!!!

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2012 02:04:24 | More by PeterIngemi

4.4/5  rDev +5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

750ml bottle split 3 ways

A: Black, with only the slightest reddy-purple when held up to the light. Small beige head, minimal carbonation.

S: The first impression I get is of over toasted bread, yeast is especially prominent as well. Hints of smoke, plum and malt.

T: This beer is amazing. First of all I get the toast, then it changes straight to grape jam spread on shortbread. The finish tastes like rich caramel fudge. There isn't much hop character but you definitely don't miss it.

M: This beer tricks you into anticipating a rich full bodied beer, but it has a deceptively thin mouthfeel.

O: This beer wowed me. Alesmith has delivered once again with a fantastic beer. If I were to nit-pick, I would have enjoyed a little more smokiness but this is an extremely minor fault. Sweet, malty and completely satisfying.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2011 08:36:52 | More by

Neffbeer

Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bomber from 2010

A: It pours a very dark brown bordering on black with zero clarity. A small off white head about one finger thick forms, but fades with very little resistance.

S: Toasted biscuits, toffee, raisins, vanilla, with a bit of port wine from some age. The oxidization seems very minimal as there is zero cardboard. The more it warms I swear I can smell some herbal hops in the distance.

T: Toffee and vanilla upfront with a solid backbone of malty goodness in support. The raisins are still present with a slight twinge of apple from the yeast. The port notes carry through to the taste with a wisp of smokiness.

M: Medium to thick in the feel with low carbonation.

D: I really am digging this beer. At 10% it is super smooth and subtle. Quite the high wire act.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2011 02:17:27 | More by Neffbeer

d4114

California

3.88/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Light barley come through a deep red body with a nice tan head.

S- Smoke, roasted notes, caramel, slight alcohol and a unique mintiness, all blend together really well.

T- Big smoky flavor, was expecting it to be sweeter. Smoke and malt notes with a dry finish. Not as complex as the smell but still a nice straight forward flavor. Also the alcohol is masked super well.

M- Medium to medium-heavy; creamy smooth feel but it's thick or viscus. Very drinkable.

O- Awesome nose, pretty straight forward flavor and highly drinkable, very solid over all.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2011 02:21:01 | More by d4114

adman08

Wisconsin

4.33/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-Pours with minimal creamy head that leaves some lacing. Deep brown with quite a lot of red tones.
S-A balance of smokey malt with molasses, a very sweet aroma. There is a hint of chcolate malt in there as well.
T-Quite sweet. Slightly smokey flavor with some caramel sweetness and some chocolate. There is a very slight flavor of roasted malt, along the lines of coffee.
M-Starts very very sweet but finishes slightly dry. Fairly light carbonation. Fairly sticky and very smooth.
Overall, outstanding scotch ale. The chocolate flavors along with the smoke and hint of coffee and the overall sweetness create a very interesting flavor profile that is fairly true to the style. The alcohol was not dominant, you know it's there but the beer is some sweet and complex that it doesnt't seem to have a strong alcohol flavor.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2011 02:49:21 | More by adman08

DarthKostrizer

California

3.63/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Look: Pours a coca cola brown color with no head at all. When I swirled the beer there was maybe a 1/8 head but I was not at all impressed with the look of the beer

Smell: Upfront the beer carries a rubbing alcohol or nail polish burn and that is backed up by some dark fruits

Taste: Upfront are some figs and raisins that are backed up by a slight chocolate note and finishes with a bit of alcohol this was the best part of the beer

Mouthfeel: Full body and feels thick with very little carbonation

Overall: I had high hopes for this beer because I typically love Alesmith products but this one for me missed the mark

Serving type: growler

11-22-2011 01:47:54 | More by DarthKostrizer

rtaps

California

4.22/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a dark brown, with deep red tint. nice tan frothy head and minimal lacing

S- Sweet, fruity, almost and apple juice aroma.

T- similar to the smell, sweet malts, fruity, mild hops balanced well. and very slightly smokey

m- smooth, medium bodied and carbonation.

overall this was a pleasantly nice beer, tastes better than it smelt.

Serving type: growler

11-20-2011 21:49:23 | More by rtaps

BillRoth

Maryland

4.9/5  rDev +16.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I've been drinking Alesmith Wee Heavy over quite a few years, and had forgotten it as I tried so many beers... from so many places.
Earlier this year I was at the Alesmith brewery and was looking to enjoy Speedway and some other seasonal/special release beers. All were very good (very good!) as I would have hoped.
But I was surprised how awesome the Wee Heavy was. It rrally stood apart from the other tastings. So I picked up a bottle and let it cellar for 9 months...probably should have waited longer.
It was an exceptionally good beer. Poured into my old Flanders Street imperial pint glass. It poured deep and dark; rich with malt. The head was rich and creamy and settled at a level finger like a well rounded cask poured pint. The aroma was welcoming...rich in roasted malt sugars, rich fruit, light kelp and peat. Flavor mirrored nose but sparkled with hints of dried fruit, caramel and a touch of plums...??whisky too.
Mouth was rich and well rounded, full bodied and yet light on the tongue. Wonderful!
This is a special beer. I love Wee Heavys, but this is like a luxury sedan compared to very nice standard vehicles.Seek it out. Be patient, wait a year...and enjoy. You'll probably wish you could open a second immediately.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2011 01:57:39 | More by BillRoth

twiggamortis420

Texas

4.38/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750 mL bottle courtesy of fthomasl. Pours black with a thick froth of tan head. Really nice retention and lacing.

Nose is peaty chocolate and tons of dark fruit - raspberries and plums.

Its like a raisin-cordial-chocolate-cherry that is dipped in spiced rum. Yea...just like that. Still plenty of booze, even though the bottle is more than a year old. An interesting take on the style, not a whole lot of smoke or peat on the flavor. Id like to see more, but it is quite delicious as is. I love the creamy mouthfeel the beer presents, I find myself 'mmmm'-ing to myself more and more as it warms despite the lack of smokiness I love so much in a wee heavy. The alcohol is sooo smooth and gentle! The best way I can describe this would be a blend of Old Chub and Belhaven Wee Heavy with more alcohol and complexity. Very nicely done AleSmith!

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2011 03:20:12 | More by twiggamortis420

wisrarebeer

Wisconsin

3.55/5  rDev -15.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

750ml bottle.

A: pours an incredibly deep, dark copper color, nice frothy head that dissipated to a thin veil
S: medium nose, slightly disconcerting sour plum nose, oxidized?
T: well-balanced deep roasted malt and nice hop finish, might be turning as some sourness is evident in finish, EtOH is very warming in finish
M: very smooth beer
O: I don't know if this is a beer that's slightly turning (I've had it for 2 years) or is how it's supposed to be

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2011 01:44:58 | More by wisrarebeer

rdickey

New Jersey

4.35/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: First, it’s one of the coolest bottles I’ve seen – the Alesmith logo, and the beer name in a really cool font, painted on in purple, all topped off with a foiled top. It pours very, very dark. A pretty direct pour produces a very thin tan head, which dissipates pretty quickly but leaves great lacing.

Smell: Malt sweetness dominates, as you’d expect. Notes of cocoa powder and stone fruits combine nicely, and there’s the slightest hint of smoke. All in all, very… Scottish.

Taste: This is a simply amazing example of the style. The malt continues to carry the day, and the cocoa powder and stone fruits continue to dance. The hops are present but definitely in the backseat, of course. The smoke remains just a hint, but it adds a really nice – and definitely Scottish – feel to it. It almost feels like it should be raining outside.

Mouthfeel: Very full bodied – rich and creamy. It feels almost round in the mouth.

Drinkability: The high ABV, which is extraordinarily well concealed, makes this an obvious sipper. If you like wee heavies, though, you’ll be tempted to drink this far faster than you should. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

I generally consider Skullsplitter to be the best wee heavy, but I think Alesmith could give it a run for its money. I wish I had a Skullsplitter tonight to taste them head to head. Of course, that would probably lead to a skullsplitting morning.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2011 01:18:05 | More by rdickey

superspak

Michigan

4.43/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

750 ml bottle into snifter, no bottle date. Pours dark reddish brown color with a small 1 finger dense caramel colored head with nice retention that reduces to a thin lacing cap. Some nice lacing clings to the glass as well. Aromas of big caramel, roasted malt, molasses, spices, oak, sweet malt, and a bit of dark fruits with a bit of booze. Some very nice aromas here that are opening up as it warms. Taste of big sweet caramel, coffee, roasted malt, molasses, oak, chocolate, spice, light dark fruit, and a bit of whiskey in the background. Decent amount of spicy bitterness on the finish; with notes of molasses, caramel, chocolate, coffee, roasted malt, and a bit of whiskey lingering on the finish for a good while. Sweetness powers over the bitterness, but the sweetness is not cloying at all with a slight amount of alcohol cleansing the palate on the finish. Medium carbonation and full bodied; with a very creamy and chewy mouthfeel. A good idea to swirl out the carbonation due to bottle conditioning on this one. For 10%, the alcohol is very well hidden with only a slight bit on the finish with warming. Drinks very smoothly as well, but is best enjoyed slowly. Overall this is an incredible scotch ale, with great flavor balance and drinkability for it’s gravity.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2011 02:18:10 | More by superspak

4DAloveofSTOUT

Illinois

4.03/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

thanks to mrandypandy for this brew!

poured into tulip glass.

Appearance: brown bodied beer with a mahoganey red hue. Massive tan head that settles down into a thick cap. A gentile swirl really brings head back in a big way. Nice looking Wee Heavy!

Smell: This smells really sweet and malty. Dark fruits and some spiciness. It really reminds me of the nose of a Quadruple.

Taste: Just as expected, this beer has a massive malty profile. Mild to moderate sweetness from the malts. The malts seem are more of a dark fruits mixed soaked in rum type of a flavor. Also some earthy, fruity / estery, and woody qualities found in this beer. Prunes and smoke are found mid palate and are subtle. Finish has a mild bitterness with some astringency, and a little booze with no heat to it. You can just taste the booze a little bit.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied beer with moderate carbonation. This beer has really nice carbonation that is clean, lively, and smooth.

Overall: This is my second beer by Alesmith. Its an enjoyable good beer. This Alesmith beer impressed me more than Speedway Stout. The downside is it reminds me more of a Quadruple than a Wee Heavy. Thats why i have a lower score on the overall section, not true to style.

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2011 05:28:52 | More by 4DAloveofSTOUT

kojevergas

California

3.9/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

1 pint 9.4 fl oz (750ml) brown glass bottle with standard pressure cap and silver neck wrap poured into a generic hefeweissbier glass in low altitude Los Angeles, California. Reviewed live. This is me first Alesmith beer; I'm really excited!

A: Pours a one finger slight tan colour head of great cream and thickness, and impressive retention for the relatively high ABV. Colour is a solid black. It's very inviting and appealing. I can't wait to try it!

Sm: Heavy on vanilla and caramel, with a touch of smoke (a bit rauchbier-esque in this regard). Light nuts are a pleasant addition. The aroma is mild to moderate in strength, and quite nice.

T: A vanilla and light caramel body is complemented very nicely by a creamy light chocolate undertone. There's even a very subtle dark fruit ester hop note buried underneath. A lot of lacing is going on here; it's really rather intricate. I get a touch of smoke on the finish, but it's momentary and restrained, keeping the beer in balance. There's maybe some toasted malt in the foundation, but it's all very subtle. This is a brilliantly built beer that's really rather tasty. I suppose some of the alcohol does come through, but the ABV is so high this is forgivable. Very complex. All around, a tasty brew.

Mf: A wonderful creamy lacing underlies the entire beer, giving it a rich texture like fine chocolate. It's smooth and wet in a general sense, but also silky. It's not too thick like many high ABV dark beers. Exquisite. It matches the flavours quite nicely.

Dr: Very drinkable even for its high ABV. This is good sipper if you like to drink whilst reading a book. I imagine it ages well. I'd love to try this on draught (or even nitro-draught if it exists). This is maybe the best wee heavy I've had. I look forward to trying more beers from Alesmith. Why is everyone in San Diego so focused on Stone when beers like this are available from Alesmith? Give this one a try - you won't be disappointed.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2011 07:04:34 | More by kojevergas

micromaniac129

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

You can see as this beer is poured into your selected glass, that it has a deep chestnut red color but the end result has a look of deeper brown. Ruby high lights pour into view along the edges. The foamy tan cap is smallish but quite dense with a long retention, leaving long lacing about the glass.

Aromatics are rich sweet malts, some roasted malts and maybe hints of burnt toffee. As the beer warms the aromas mingle nicely releasing some more flavors such as candied sugars and molasess.
Possibly some peat but that could be suggestive I think.

Very malt forwar brew here.
As the beer warms flavors come and go, there is alot going on here. At the first sip you taste the rich malts toffee and roasted malts. But as the beer warms other flavors become apparent like candied sugar, dark fruits. The end ends with warming alcohol, quite strong.

A rather thick beer with a smooth mouthfeel. Smooth and creamy as it warms further. The alcohol also become more intense as it warms.

A good beer to sip along with through the night but I do feel that the alcohol is a bit stong for me. Perhaps if this ale was toned down abit it would excel even further.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2011 21:18:15 | More by micromaniac129

stewart124

Ohio

4.75/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

750ml bottle from 2009

Poured into pint glasses this was almost like molasses. Rich brown color with ruby red hues and a centimeter of tan head.

Nose is slightly smokey with lots of currants and bread.

Taste is chewy with a very rich caramel character. More light chocolate malts that has just the slightest amount of smoke. Full bodied with a bold punch from the malt bill. Just a great malt character in general. Toasted bread comes through and fades a bit. The raisins and prunes really linger and there is a nice residual sweetness left.

Very nice for a nightcap. Great to just sip on. Some alcohol is present but it doesn't take away from the overall experience.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2011 22:33:58 | More by stewart124

nassaubeercop

New York

3.48/5  rDev -16.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

A- Pours black, coppery red when held to the light, very thin tan foamy head. head quickly fades very little to no lacing.

S- Roasted malt, bourbon a little lactose.

T-Bourbon, malt a little sweet on the palate. Nice flavor but a little light, not as bold as some other example of the style. A little alcohol.

M- Light carbonation, a little thin and watery. Slight alcohol burn. Not much aftertaste.

O- I like this beer but it is not the best example of the style I have tasted. Good smell and flavor but not as bold as I would like. Very drinkable despite the high alcohol content.

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2011 00:22:25 | More by nassaubeercop

beergod1

Ohio

4.22/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a creamy Dark chocolate color, A small tan white head. slight smokey and malty nose. low carbonation and a little thin on the Palate. Some bitterness, little hop presence before, chocolate, roasted, and perhaps some smoked malt making it balanced. Nothing overpowering, perhaps some yeast esters.... Peat? Alcohol is well hidden. Taste has a mixture of sweet dark fruit, molasses and a bit of light hops. Pretty good, but There are a couple more I rate higher.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2011 23:57:20 | More by beergod1